System for installing film containing a message on a vehicle

Abstract

A system for applying a film having a smooth message over an irregular area of a vehicle in an accelerated manner, without heat, unnecessary tools, or extra training. This system can provide improved static resistance for the vehicle and cathodic protection while creating a surface of the smooth message to adhere.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for accelerated installation of smooth messages over irregular areas on vehicles, the system comprising:
 a. a vehicle having a rigid surface, wherein the rigid surface has an irregular area; 
 b. a plurality of compressible flexible strips for attaching in series or parallel over the irregular area, wherein portions of the plurality of compressible flexible strips are configured to adhere flush to the rigid surface around the irregular area, and wherein each compressible flexible strip comprises:
 (i) a covering section having a smooth outer surface and an inner surface for enclosing the irregular area, wherein the covering section is supported over the irregular area without adhering to the rigid surface, and wherein the covering section has a thickness ranging from 1/64 th  of an inch to 1/16 th  of an inch; 
 (ii) a compressible first side connected longitudinally with the covering section; 
 (iii) a compressible second side connected longitudinally with the covering section, wherein the compressible second side is disposed parallel and opposite to the compressible first side, wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side each have a first thickness identical to the thickness of the covering section, and further wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side each taper to a second thickness that is less than 10 percent of the first thickness, and wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side are configured to simultaneously adhere flush to the rigid surface when a compression pressure is applied to the compressible first side and the compressible second side; and 
 (iv) a foam adhered to the inner surface of the covering section, wherein the foam envelops the irregular area when the compression pressure is applied to the compressible first side and the compressible second side, thereby adhering the compressible flexible strip to the rigid surface; and 
 
 c. a film comprising a message area, wherein the film is configured to smoothly adhere to a first side of the rigid surface and to smoothly adhere to the smooth outer surfaces of the plurality of compressible flexible strips to smoothly adhere to a second side of the rigid surface, thereby forming a smooth message. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each covering section extends from ⅛ th  of an inch to ¼ th  of an inch above the rigid surface. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each compressible flexible strip comprises 100 percent polyolefin polymer or high impact polystyrene. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each compressible flexible strip comprises a lightweight metal, an aluminum composite, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each compressible flexible strip comprises:
 a. a plastic, non-perforated, compressible first side and a plastic, non-perforated, compressible second side; and 
 b. a metal covering section. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compressible flexible strips resist breaking, resist shattering, and maintain an original shape at a temperature ranging from −10 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side each have top edges and bottom edges, wherein the top edges have top edge beveled portions, and wherein the bottom edges have bottom beveled portions. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the irregular area comprises: rivets, screws, tabs, framing, joints, ribs, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foam is a closed cell foam or an opened cell foam. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the foam is a high density cell foam or a medium density cell foam. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the message area is printed on the film. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the message area comprises words, graphics, color, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein compression pressure ranges from 15 psi to 20 psi. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foam is adhered to the inner surface of the covering section via: an adhesive, heat welding, two sided adhesive tape, webbing saturated with a glue, webbing saturated with an adhesive, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side are adhered with the rigid surface via: a vehicle adhesive, a two sided adhesive tape, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the vehicle adhesive, the two sided adhesive tape, or combinations thereof are 100 percent removable from the compressible first side, the compressible second side, and the rigid surface, thereby providing a clean surface on the rigid surface when the smooth message is removed therefrom. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the foam is adhered to the inner surface of the covering section via a first adhesive, wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side are adhered with the rigid surface via a second adhesive, and wherein the first adhesive is different than the second adhesive. 
     
     
       18. A system for accelerated installation of messages over irregular areas on vehicles, the system comprising:
 a. a vehicle having a rigid surface, wherein the rigid surface has an irregular area; 
 b. a plurality of compressible flexible strips for attaching in series or parallel over the irregular area, wherein portions of the plurality of compressible flexible strips are configured to adhere flush to the rigid surface around the irregular area, and wherein each compressible flexible strip comprises:
 (i) a covering section having an outer surface and an inner surface for enclosing the irregular area, wherein the covering section is supported over the irregular area without adhering to the rigid surface; 
 (ii) a compressible first side connected longitudinally with the covering section; 
 (iii) a compressible second side connected longitudinally with the covering section, wherein the compressible second side is disposed parallel and opposite to the compressible first side, and wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side are configured to simultaneously adhere flush to the rigid surface upon simultaneous application of a compression pressure; and 
 (iv) a foam adhered to the inner surface, wherein the foam is configured to envelop a portion of the irregular area when the compression pressure is applied to the compressible first side and the compressible second side; and 
 
 c. a film comprising a message area, wherein the film is configured to connect with a first side of the rigid surface, the outer surfaces of the plurality of compressible flexible strips, and a second side of the rigid surface, thereby forming a message. 
 
     
     
       19. A system for accelerated installation of messages over irregular areas on vehicles, the system comprising:
 a. a plurality of compressible flexible strips configured for attaching in series or parallel over an irregular area of a rigid surface of a vehicle, wherein portions of the plurality of compressible flexible strips are configured to adhere flush to the rigid surface around the irregular area, and wherein each compressible flexible strip comprises:
 (i) a covering section having an outer surface and an inner surface for enclosing the irregular area, wherein the covering section is supported over the irregular area without adhering to the rigid surface; 
 (ii) a compressible first side connected longitudinally with the covering section; 
 (iii) a compressible second side connected longitudinally with the covering section, wherein the compressible second side is disposed parallel and opposite to the compressible first side, and wherein the compressible first side and the compressible second side are configured to simultaneously adhere flush to the rigid surface upon simultaneous application of a compression pressure; and 
 (iv) a foam adhered to the inner surface, wherein the foam is configured to envelop a portion of the irregular area when the compression pressure is applied to the compressible first side and the compressible second side; and 
 (v) a film comprising a message area, wherein the film is configured to connect with a first side of the rigid surface, the outer surfaces of the plurality of compressible flexible strips, and a second side of the rigid surface, thereby forming a message.